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Le Petit Bull’s-eye! Giving & Getting It! Happy New Year! An Apex of Knowledge, Right Around the Corner! Spreading the Word for a More Radical GR! The Free(dom) Calendar! Color Me Bike! A Universal Crechendo! Redaction! You’re Beautiful, Baby! Braaaaaaains! Think, Thought, Thunk, Stumped, Womp! Fin! • • • •
In case you haven't heard... GMR is a progressive and evolving group. It was founded in Grand Rapids late 2008 as a response to the huge reaction to the Really Really Free Markets. The emphasis is on community empowerment. The organizers of the free markets want to create other events that encourage social change, mutual aid, and community building. Thus we created Good Morning Revolution. This zine will help us stay informed about similar events, and share our endeavors.
Created by the people in the interest of the people to energize our community in a more sustainable way from the bottom up.
“
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.” ―Henry David Thoreau
Or is that something you are not willing to do? Are you that sure of yourself? We are living in a complex world with a plethora of possibilities. Of which, we must sort through truth and bullshit using only logic and debate. In the process, suspend our beliefs and convictions to fully examine the other possible worlds we could be living in. If you refuse, then pray you hit the bull's-eye on your first shot. (But we're all likely to've missed.)
by Zachariah Malachi
I listen to the things you say and I think to myself “that man is so blind.” But you probably would call me blind as well. So I guess we must open our minds and try to see through the other’s eyes. View the world from a new perspective and expand our understanding.
If you’ve dipped a toe into the counter-culture in the last 10 years, you’ve heard the phrase “vote with your dollar.” This is an appealing solution to one’s discontent with the status quo. We’ve all gotta buy shit, right? We might as well buy organic, fare trade shit, right? Thinking globally/acting locally through mindful consumption are important, yes, but such a convenient resolution is far from a fix all. Change rarely comes from convenient resolutions. When using the cash-register as a ballot box, the average person has significantly fewer monetary votes than those of Exxon or Monsanto. Yet as people, we exist for so much more than a profit on the bottom line—we’ve got our humanity, friendships, loves, passions, pains, and unalienable rights that make us more deserving of a voice than any corporation. Consumption is necessary for life but Consumerism is a mindset. Consumerism is dehumanizing. It distracts us from each other. It burdens us when we encounter advertisements that claim our teeth aren’t white enough; convincing us that our gray hairs or crows-feet aren’t status symbols; that our curves, lack of curves, or our particular curves aren’t beautiful. It stratifies us from each other so much that the natural inclinations to form community, work together, and support each other seems radical. Instead of finding self-worth in what we own, let’s find value in what we give and share. A gift culture relies on a communal identity and the belief that when help and resources are offered, they will be returned by another considerate soul. By taking it a step beyond the dollar vote, you can find so many resources right next door. Within our neighborhoods and communities exist priceless and abundant resources. We all possess abilities to uplift each other here and now. With generous spirits, we can build a better world for ourselves and whoever wants to join in and help out. ―Jesicka Crunch.
by Max Lockwood
We scream when no one ever screams anymore. We remain steadfast in Tahrir Square until the desperate despot leaves. We are crushed yet reappear in over-populated, food-subsidized, stronger greater numbers than before. We are a river breaking through dams that stand by our consent alone, half a million strong flooding London streets. We could live with austerity, but not while we carry their prosperity on the shoulders of our poverty. We begin to awaken from the terror of the American Dream, finding the scream in our throats and forcing it from our lips in Madison, reverberating through halls restricting our thoughts, illuminating walls we merely imagined. We come and we come we come we come We go hard and we don’t stop and we have no name. We utter words and they climb into the wind and become part of the world. We say scream shout whisper, “I am a human being GODDAMMIT!” and become human again in every language that still lives.
“
I don’t want to write poems so they can be read by people who read poetry. I don’t want to write songs so they can be heard by people who think songs are what life is all about. I don’t want anything I create to be trapped.” ―Max Lockwood
Drawling by Cash-Money Casey
Promoting Radical Events in Grand Rapids by the folks over at GR Activist Calendar.
The past two issues of the Good Morning Revolution zine are a welcome addition to the radical community in Grand Rapids. For as long as we can remember, there have been a good number of rad folks doing rad things but relatively few ways to find out about what is happening in the city. It’s gotten better over the years, but it still often seems like it comes down to chance and luck. The "Free Calendar" included in this zine is a great resource that hopefully many folks will use. For the past year, a few of us in town have been working on a somewhat similar calendar called The Grand Rapids Activist Calendar. It's an online calendar that has a website, an email list, and a Facebook presence aimed at promoting activist events going on in Grand Rapids--think protests, organizing campaigns, movie showings, discussions, potlucks. All the events listed fall under the broad categories of what would be consider "leftist," "radical," and/or "progressive." We've publicized anti-war protests, Critical Mass bike rides, Really, Really Free Markets, lectures, workshops, discussions, benefit concerts and more. We encourage anyone organizing rad events to submit them to the calendar. We’ve recently updated our site to make it easier and faster than before. For more information, check out the calendar online at: http://calendar.diygr.org While you are on the website, please consider signing up to receive updates via email or Facebook. Finally, please, please, please promote your events in the so-called “real world.” We see The Grand Rapids Activist Calendar as a supplement to good ole fashion promoting (flyering, phone trees, telling friends, sending the info to community calendars, etc)—not a substitute. Change happens on the streets of the real world, not online—no matter how much folks try to convince you that Twitter will solve the world’s problems.
August 1st: the Finding Family with DNA @ Library Main Branch Ryerson Auditorium Level 3 “A” is for August! [111 Library St Ne] 7–8:30 PM DAAC Meeting @ The DAAC / 7–9 PM August 12th: [115 S. Division Ave.] CTC Opening Art Reception Free Women’s Self Defense Class @ the DAAC / 7–11:30 PM @ Gymco Sports [115 S. Division Ave.] [2306 Camelot Ridge Court Se] August 15th: 7:30–8:30 PM DAAC Meeting August 1st–August 5th: @ the DAAC / 7–9 PM Rally for Marital Justice [115 S. Division Ave.] @ Rosa Parks Circle August 18th: [135th Monroe Center NW] Exploring Faith: Mormons Noon–1 PM @ Library Main Branch August 6th: Vander Veen Center Level 4. Big World Wide Latch On: [111 Library St Ne] 7–8:30 PM Nursing Mums August 20th: @ Rosa Parks Circle Bike Stock! 6 Bands + Other Bike [135th Monroe Center NW] Related Festivities 10 AM @ Parking Area / Noon–9 PM August 7th: [27 Ottawa Ave SW] Really Really Free Market August 22nd: @ MLK Jr Park The Island of Misfit Toys [show] [Corner of Franklin & Fuller] @ the DAAC /7–11 pm Noon–5 PM [115 S. Division ] August 10th: August 25th: The Murder of Heritage Hill: Working: Searching for the Discussion of an Unsolved Dignity and Meaning of Labor Michigan Murder @ Library Main Branch @ Library Main Branch Ryerson Auditorium Level 3. Ryerson Auditorium Level 3 [111 Library St Ne] 7–8:30 PM [111 Library St Ne] 7–8:30 PM
Free Calendar
Reoccurring Events: Mondays: Peace Presence Vigil @ NE Corner of Division & Fulton 4:30–5:30 PM Jazoo: Free Jazz @ John Ball Park Zoo [1300 W Fulton] 6–8 PM SASS Women's Self Defense Class / 7:30–8:30 PM @ Gymco Sports [2306 Camelot Ridge Court Se] Comedy Improv @ Dog Story Theater [7 Jefferson SE] 10–11 PM Wednesdays: Wednesday Evening Ride @ parking lot across from the DAAC/next to Pikositos [110 S Division] Meet: 9 / Leave: 9:30 Thursdays: GVSU Downtown Toastmasters Club: Public Speaking Competition @ Devos Center Room 107 C. [301 W Fulton Ave] 7:30–8:30 AM Fridays: GRAM on the Green (until August 19th): Zoomba Exercise Class @ Rosa Parks Circle 5:15–6 PM Live Music @ Museum Terrace 6–7:30 PM Ballroom Dancing @ Rosa Parks Circle 8:30–10:30 PM [135 Monroe Center Nw] Sundays: Free Tacos @ Birch Lodge [732 Michigan St Ne] Approx. Noon–5 PM Free Dinner @ Degage Ministries [144 Division Ave S] 7:30–9 PM Monday–Friday: Open Art Studio @ Heartside Ministries [54 Division Ave S] 9 AM–3:30 PM Every day (except the 1st Friday of the month): Free Lunch @ God’s Kitchen [303 Divison Ave S] 2:30–4 PM
Email any and all free events to FreeCal@GoodMorningRevolution.org
[ Color me in, Hot Stuff. ]
Turn or Tune? (Time) by Nancy Pants
“Geography is the earth slowly moving against itself.” ―Ander Monson Tarot readings for blossoming cities occur in eastern sectors and spread growth. How hummingbirds draw nectar in winter’s decay, life unfolding clasped hands holding or hindering hibernation.
Monuments or metals, medals and memories, the stones of yard’s graves are collections of human historical factories.
This is nature’s Darwin phase, where willows weep and winter retreats.
This is why in cold daze, there hovers ends, before ties bending west.
So morning’s sparrow sings, rebirthing things like swings, sprigs, twigs, springs… An addendum to genre of heat.
(Which part to absence: forward, centrifugal, force.)
So old men speak clear while young men die withholding fear, In a cemetery lies lingering embers and it becomes a rearview mirror near spirits once burning, posing reality in contingencies of once falling, the past. But it draws close, once living, fast. now absent. Caterpillars on ground, all (now) rough rise compromise. Turn trash to treasure. A universal crescendo is a transparent composition.
Someone was kind enough to point out something pretty exciting that we forgot to include last issue. Thanks Cash Money!
Yes!
We need you! You are a valuable part of the human race. You have thoughts and skills and talents. Share them with your community. So...
Feeling Creative? Great! We’re looking for anything that can be printed. Anything embracing a culture of creative individuals living life wholly in awe of and respect for our fellow terrestrials. Drawings, doodles, comics, poems, articles, rants, raves, parties, basement shows, other shit. Just keep it cool and we’ll put in this here thingy. email →
zine@GoodMorningRevolution.org
“...Let's go, Revolution.” ―Langston Hughes.
Action...more important than apathy. ...more important than idleness. ...more important than the perfect plan. But don't be stupid, you guys. Think and stuff.
August 7th / 12-5 PM / MLK Park
Find online at GoodMorningRevolution.org
August 26th / 5 PM / Rosa Parks Circle